Controllable unidirectional transport and light trapping using a one-dimensional lattice with non-Hermitian coupling

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Photonics
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Non-Hermitian systems offer unique transport properties.
• Synthetic magnetic fields can induce novel phenomena in lattices.
• Robust light transport is crucial for optical communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel one-dimensional tight-binding lattice with non-Hermitian coupling.
• To investigate the transport properties of this engineered lattice.
• To explore potential applications in optical devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a one-dimensional tight-binding model.
• Introducing non-Hermitian coupling modulated by a synthetic magnetic field (Peierls phase).
• Designing heterostructures and sandwich structures for device realization.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated robust, unidirectional, and reflectionless transport.
• Showcased defect immunity in the lattice.
• Proposed an optical diode using a heterostructure.
• Achieved tunable light trapping and reversal in a sandwich structure.

Conclusions:

• The proposed non-Hermitian lattice enables unconventional light transport.
• This platform has potential applications in frequency-selective filtering and optical communication.
• Engineered structures offer functionalities like optical diodes and tunable light manipulation.